Skirt



Dec. 27, 1960 A. R. JOHNSON 2,965,904

SKIRT Filed May 2, 1956 TlEl.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ARM/GENE 7?. c/omyso/v 1960 A. R. JOHNSON 2,965,904

' SKIRT Filed May 2, 1956 jhn HI! I N v E N TO R 49/14/ 514; 2 Jo'mwom United States Patht SKIRT Armigene R. Johnson, 1880 Old Mill Road, Wantagh, N.

Filed May 2, 1956, Ser. No. 582,292

Claims. (Cl. 2-211) This invention relates to garments and more specifically to an improved skirt for women and children that affords a high degree of freedom of movement, utilizes a readily adjustable waistband and will maintain its shape and line throughout extended periods of wear.

While the invention is useful for a wide variety of skirt styles, it is particularly useful in connection with so-called slim line skirts. Present skirts of this character materially limit the freedom of the wearer unless the skirt is provided with a narrow opening or slit extending upwardly from the hem or rim which often detracts from the appearance of the garment. Moreover, the basic nature or design of the slim skirt makes it difficult to adjust the skirt to fit the waist of the wearer without the expenditure of considerable time and effort in order to preserve the line and styling.

One object of this invention therefore resides in the provision of a slim skirt having an improved adjustable waist and providing ample freedom for the wearer while at the same time furnishing reenforcement about the back of skirt to prevent deformation of the material.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a slim skirt embodying an improved panel structure characterized by its simplicity of construction and the substantially complete freedom of action afforded the wearer. While this improved structure may be placed at any position about the skirt, when employed at the back it may be cordinated with a reenforcing material to prevent deformation of the skirt resulting from extended wear.

' A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a skirt structure embodying means for affording a high degree of freedom for the wearer particularly in slim skirts and at the same time enable the waist band of the skirt to be adjusted in accordance with the requirements of the wearer and without affecting the styling of the garment. This is particularly important in the manufacture of skirts since it enables a material reduction in the number of stock sizes required which in turn results in substantial savings for the consumer.

" Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved skirt wherein the waist may be readily adjusted without affecting the line of the skirt.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved slim line skirt.

' This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior application Serial No. 517,808, filed June 24, 1955, entitled Skirt, now abandoned.

' The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings forming part of this application.

. ,In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of one embodiment of a skirt in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the skirt shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a view of three major elements of the skirt shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view in partial section of another embodiment of a skirt in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the skirt of Fig. 4 with the panel removed;

Fig. 6 is a view of the inside of the rear panel before attachment to the skirt;

Fig. 7 is a view of the skirt shown in Fig. 4 illustrating more clearly the attachment of the panel to the skirt body;

Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive are cross sectional views of Fig. 4 taken along the line 88 through 11-11 thereof.

Briefly the invention provides an improved skirt structure that is particularly applicable to slim line styles and provides a high degree of freedom for the wearer. It includes generally the skirt body which may be made in any desired manner or style, and insert of a relatively strong material such as satin or the like that extends from the waist to a point spaced from the bottom edge and an overlying panel. A vertical opening or slit extends from the skirt hem or rim to the lower edge of the insert and both the insert and vertical opening are then covered by the panel which extends from the waist to the skirt rim or hem. Inasmuch as the panel is not attached to the skirt below the upper edge of the slit, substantially complete freedom is afforded the wearer and at the same time the disadvantages of a conventional slit in the bottom of a skirt are overcome. Moreover this improved structure will retain its shape for relatively long periods of wear by reason of the novel and improved cooperation of the panel and insert with the skirt.

This invention further includes a skirt structure embodying an adjustable waist so that extensive alterations are avo'ded in adjusting it to fit the wearer. As will become apparent this adjustable feature as well as the overlying panel structure may be incorporated in the back, or front of the skirt as may be desired.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3 thereof, the skirt 10 is styled with a slim line and has a body part 12 that extends about the front and sides of the wearer and a waist belt or band 14 secured to the top of the body 12. The body 12, fabricated of one or more pieces of material, may be styled in any desired manner and includes an opening 16 extending from the wait to a point spaced from the hem or rim of the skirt. This opening is formed by recessing or cutting away the meeting edges of the rear skirt body parts 18 and 20 along the lines 20', 21 and 22, 23 respectively, to form' inwardly extending tabs 24 and 25 and a substantially straight bottom part formed by lines 21 and 23. In addition the meeting edges 26 and 27 of the bottom portions of panels 18 and 20 are preferably maintained in spaced relationhip to form a narrow vertical opening or slit 28 therebetween.

The opening 16 in the skirt body 12 is preferably closed by a panel 29 of satin or other similar strong material with the bottom edge 30 thereof being secured to the skirt along the edges 21 and 23 of the opening 16. The side edges 31 and 32 of panel 29 are also sewn to the edges 20' and 22 of opening 16 up to points indicated by the letters X. The waist band 14, attached to the top edge of the skirt body 12, extends substantially to the edges of the meeting tab parts 24 and 25 of the rear panels 18 and 20.

The overlying panel 33 is shaped generally along the lines of the insert 29 except that it is substantially longer and extends from the waist of the skirt to the hem line are preferably hemmed in'the usual manner and then the panel is placed in overlying relationship to the satin insert 29 and sewn to the skirt body 12 along the edges 21 and 23 of opening 16 and the edges 20' and 22 to the points X. The bottom edge 34 of the panel 33 is adjusted to coincide with the hem line of the skirt body 12 and overlies the slotted opening 28 between the rear body parts 18 and 20. The structure is then completed by sewing the sections of panels 29 and 33 one to the other above the points X to comprise in effect a single element that may be opened to facilitate putting on and removing the skirt and by sewing the waist-band section 14 to the top edge of the joined panels 29 and 33 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

While it is preferable to provide the satin insert 29 when the overlying panel structure is utilized on the back of the skirt in order to afford added strength and prevent deformation of the garment, this panel is not required when the structure is utilized at other positions. Moreover the width of the panel 33 should be slightly greater than the width of panel 29 as shown in Fig. 4 in order to completely cover the panel 29.

The waist 1414' of the skirt 10 is adjusted to the wearers measurements by properly positioning a pair of buttons 35 on the waist 14 to cooperate with the buttonholes 36 in the waist part 14'. By reason of the inwardly extending tabs 24 and 25 a relatively large range of adjustment is provided and at the same time the line of the garment remains substantially unafiected. Moreover with the employment of the slit 28 and the overlying panel part 33 the wearer is afforded complete freedom of action and at the same time the skirt gives the impression of a straight smooth line garment not attainable with prior structures.

A modified embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 4 through 11, inclusive. While the basic elements of the skirt in this embodiment of the invention are similar to the elements of the embodiment previously described, certain structural differences will become evident.

Referring now to the drawings of the modified embodiment of the invention (Figs. 4 to 11), the skirt includes a body part 50 that may be formed of one or more pieces of material. The rear portion of the skirt body is cut out as shown in Fig. to provide an elongated opening 51 extending from the waist down to a point spaced from the hem. The upper portion of this opening 51 is tapered inwardly toward the waist to provide a narrowed waist section 51'. The main section of the opening 51 tapers generally outwardly along the sides 52 and 53 and terminates in a transverse bottom edge defined by the overlapping edges 54 and 55 of the back portion of the body. The rear edges of the skirt body 50 below the opening 51 are arranged in overlapping relationship as shown at 56 and are held in overlapping relationship by attachment of the edges 54 and 55 as will be described.

The upper edge of the skirt body 50 is provided with a waist band 57 that extends about the periphery of the skirt with the edges of the band terminating generally in line with the upper ends of the edges 52 and 53. This provides a gap 51 between the meeting edges of the waist band 57. The edges of the waist band are then preferably connected by a piece of elastic material 58 sewn permanently to the waist band edge 57" and arranged to be releasably fastened to the waist band edge 57'. In addition the rear portion of the waist band 57 is provided with a pair of buttons 59 removably attached thereto. For this purpose the band is provided with several openings 60 extending therethrough and each button 59 is provided with a metal loop 61 for insertion through the openings 60 in the waist band and held in place by a metal clip 62.

As will be observed in Fig. 11 the elastic insert 58 is provided with a series of spaced metal hooks 63 that cooperate with metal eyes 64 on the waist band end 57' so that the waist band can be adjusted for a rela tively wide range of sizes. The overlying panel 65, to

be described, is provided with a short waist band section having a pair of spaced buttonholes for cooperation with the buttons 59. As the buttons 59 are adjustably mounted in the waist band 57 they can be made to register with the buttonholes on the top edge of the panel 65 and provide in effect a smooth continuous waist band when the skirt is in position on the wearer.

The opening 51, of the skirt body 50, is closed by an overlying panel 65 that is tapered outwardly and downwardly from the waist. The upper edge of the panel is provided with a short waist band section 66 having buttonholes 67 therein for cooperation with the buttons 59 on the waist band 57 as previously described. The inside of the panel 65 as viewed in Fig. 6 is provided with a lining or insert 68 of a relatively durable heavy material such as satin or the like. This material extends from the waist to a point slightly overlapping the edges 54 and 55 of the opening 51 and it is secured to the panel along the side edges 69 and 70 thereof as illustrated in the drawings. The side and bottom edges of the panel 65 are hemmed in the usual manner and the length of the panel is adjusted to coordinate with the length of the skirt.

In the attachment of the panel to the skirt the bottom edge 68 of the insert 68 is attached to the skirt body by sewing it to the body along the edges 54 and 55 of the opening 51. The sides of the panel 65 as well as the lining or insert 68 are then sewn to the side edges 52 and 53 as shown in Figs. 7 and 9 by means of suitable stitching denoted by the numeral 71. This stitching is carried upwardly to a point spaced from the top edge of the skirt to provide an opening of the order of six inches in depth when the top edge of the panel is unbuttoned as shown in Fig. 7. This facilitates putting on and removing the skirt as is apparent from the figures.

With the structure as described above it will be observed that the outer layer 65' of the panel 65 is sewn to the skirt body merely along the side edges of the opening 51 and only the liner 68 is attached to the skirt body along the edges 54 and 55 of the opening 51. The bottom section of the panel therefore hanges freely from the lower edge of the opening 51 to the hem of the skirt and covers the lap opening 56.

In actual tests made with the skirt as illustrated and described, it has been found that appearance of the skirt is vastly improved and that even though the wearers legs may protrude through the lap opening 56 in the skirt body, they are substantially completely covered at all times by overlying panel. This materially improves the appearance of the garment and at the same time does not interfere in any way with the freedom of movement. Moreover, by the cooperation of the panel with the liner of a relatively strong, tough material, the skirt will maintain its shape and configuration notwithstanding extended wear. This is particularly important in slim-line styling to insure the wearer of a well groomed appearance at all times. Through the attachment of the insert to the panel in the manner shown, this reenforcement is obtained at relatively little cost as compared with prior known methods for installing reenforcing linings.

In addition to the utilization of the panel to simplify reenforcement of the skirt and to provide a slim-line skirt affording complete freedom and improved appearance the panel further cooperates with the waist of the skirt in order to provide an adjustable band that will accommodate a wide range of waist sizes. This saves the wearer the relatively high cost of tailoring ready made skirts to meet their own requirements and of course enables the manufacturer to reduce the cost of the skirt inasmuch as the number of sizes may be drastically reduced.

While only certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is apparent that modifications, alterations and changes may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A skirt comprising a body part having an opening therein extending from the top edge to a line between the center of the skirt and the bottom edge thereof, the portion of said opening at the waist being relatively narrow with the edges thereof diverging sharply outwardly to corresponding points disposed substantially above the horizontal center of the skirt and then generally downwardly to said line, said body further including a second opening extending from the hem to said line with the edges thereof being free and unsecured and in at least closely spaced relationship, an insert of relatively non-deformable material closing at least that portion of the first said opening between said line and said corresponding points and secured to the edges thereof, a panel overlying said insert and extending from the waist to the hem of the skirt and secured to at least the side edges of the first said opening between said line and said corresponding points, and separate connectable waist-band sections secured to the upper edge of the panel and body for supporting the skirt about the body of the wearer.

2. A skirt comprising a body part having an opening therein extending from the upper edge thereof to a line below the midsection of the skirt and spaced from the lower edge thereof, said opening having a large lower part extending from about said line upwardly to a point substantially above said midsection of the skirt and an upper part having side edges tapering gradually inwardly toward the upper edge of the body with the upper edges of the opening terminating in spaced relationship, a first waist-band coextensive with and secured to the upper edge of said body and including means for releasably holding the ends of said first waist-band one to the other, a fabric insert closing said opening and sewn to the edges of the lower part thereof between said line and said point, said insert portion extending above said point being free and unsecured, a panel extending from the waist of the skirt to the hem thereof in overlying relationship to said insert and secured to the side edges thereof and to the side edges of said lower rectangular portion of said opening between said line and said point, the connected panel and insert parts above said point forming a substantially unitary flap member, said body further having an elongated opening extending from the first said opening to the hem of the skirt, a second waistband section secured to the upper edges of said connected panel and insert portions, and means for adjustably securing the waistband sections one to the other.

3. A skirt comprising a body part having an opening therein extending from the top edge to a line between the horizontal center of the skirt and the bottom edge thereof, the portion of said opening at the waist being relatively narrow and the portion about and below the horizontal center of the skirt being relatively wide, said body further including a second opening extending from the hem to said line with the edges thereof being free and unsecured and in at least closely spaced relationship, panel means overlying said openings and extending from the waist of the skirt to said hem, said panel being secured to the edges of the first said opening between said line and corresponding points spaced downwardly from the upper edges of the skirt with the panel parts above said points and below said line being free and unsecured, means supporting the lower edge of the first said opening, and separate connectable waist-band parts secured to said body and the upper end of said panel means.

4. A skirt comprising a body part having a relatively wide opening therein extending from the top edge of the skirt to a line between the horizontal center of the skirt and the bottom edge thereof, said body further including a second relatively narrow elongated opening extending from the hem of the skirt upwardly to a point at least in proximity to said line, panel means extending from the waist of the skirt to said hem and overlying both said openings, said panel being secured to the edges of the first said opening above said line with the panel part extending below said line being free and unsecured and means engaging the edge of the first said opening coincident with the said line for supporting the skirt both extending below said line and lying beneath said panel.

5. A skirt according to claim 4 wherein the edges of the second said opening extending between the hem of the skirt and said line are in overlying relationship.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 494,404 Aronson Mar. 28, 1893 564,292 Schlivinski July 21, 1896 575,912 Smith Jan. 26, 1897 614,097 Francis Nov. 15, 1898 1,564,897 Sanbom Dec. 8, 1925 2,486,835 Friedland Nov. 1, 1949 2,618,266 DeLeone Nov. 18, 1952 2,747,197 Bailey May 29, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 306,356 Switzerland June 16, 1955 

